BloGR^PHlCAL       Sketch 

OF 

John      the   Baptist 


BS2456 
.B6I 


BS2456  .B61 

A  biographical  sketch  of  John  the 


Princeton  Theological  Semmary-Speer  Library 


1    1012  00081    1945 


(^C^(  -^' 


A 
BlOGRAPIIlCxlL  SKETCH 

OF 

JOHN  THE  BAPTIST. 

ALSO, 

A  BRIEF  ANALYSIS 

OF  THE 

IN  TWO  CHAPTERS: 


By  christian  LAYMAN. 


I  have  need  to  he  baptized  of  thee.     Matt.  iii.  14. 

And  did  all  drink  the  same  8[iiritual  drink :  (  For  they  drank  of  that  spirit- 
aal  Rock  that  followed  them  and  that  Rock  was  Christ.)    I.  (Jorinth.  x.  4. 

For  by  one  Spirit  are  we  all  baptized  into  one  body,  whether  we  be  Jews 
or  Gentiles,  whether  we  be  bond  or  free ;  and  have  beea  all  made  to  drink  into 
one  Spirit.    I.  Corinth,  xii.  13. 

Whosoever  drinketh  of  the  water  that  I  shall  give  him,  shall  never  thirst ;  but 
the  water  that  I  shall  give  him,  shall  be  in  him  a  well  of  water  springing  up  into 
everlasting  Life.    John  iv.  14. 


BURLINGTON,  N.  J. 

PRINTED  FOR  THE  AUTHOI^ 

DT   DAVID    ALLINSON. 

18^1. 


CHAPTER  I. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH 

OF 


It  appears  from  the  accounts  in  the  New  Testament 
of  this  distinguished  Herald  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  that  he  was  the  son  of  a  Priest  named 
Zacharias,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  in  their  advanced 
age. 

"An  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  unto  Zacharias  stan- 
ding on  the  right  side  of  the  altar  of  incense,  and  told 
him,  Thy  prayer  is  heard ;  and  thy  wife  Elizabeth 
shall  bear  thee  a  son,  and  thou  shalt  call  his  name  John. 
And  thou  shalt  have  joy  and  gladness,  and  many  shall 
rejoice  at  his  birth.  For  he  shall  be  great  in  the  sight 
of  the  Lord,  and  shall  drink  neither  wine  nor  strong 
drink  ;  and  he  shall  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  even 
from  his  mother's  womb.  And  many  of  the  children 
of  Israel  shall  he  turn  to  the  Lord  their  God.  And  he 
shall  go  before  him  in  the  spirit  and  power  of  Elias,  to 
turn  the  hearts  of  the  Fathers  to  the  children,  and  the 
disobedient  to  the  wisdom  of  the  just;  to  make  ready  a 
people  prepared  for  the  Lord.''    Luke  i.  11, 17. 


(4) 

Accordingly,  we  find  that  this  prophecy  of  the  angel 
was  fulfilled,  and  tlie  eighth  day  they  came  to  ciicum- 
cise  the  child  and  named  him  John.     And  his  Father 
Zacharias  was  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  prophe- 
sied, saying,  **.Vnd  thou  child  shalt  be  called  the  Prophet 
of  the  Highest,  for  thou  shalt  go  before  the  face  of  the 
Lord  to  prepare  his  way ;  to  give  knowledge  of  Salva- 
tion unto  his  People,  by  the  remission  of  their  sins, 
through  the  tender  mercy  of  our  God ;   whereby  the 
Day  spring  from  on  high  hath  visited  us,  to  give  light 
to  them  that  sit  in  darkness  and  in  the  shadow  of  deatli; 
to  guide  our  feet  into  the  way  of  peace.     And  the  child 
grew,  and  waxed  strong  in  spirit,  and  was  in  the  deserts 
till  the  day  of  his  showing  unto  Israel." 

Here  I  would  call  the  attention  of  the  reader  to  the 
fact,  that  neither  in  the  prophecy  of  the  angel,  nor  of 
Zacharias  above  quoted,  is  there  any  intimation  that 
John  should  receive  a  divine  commission  to  baptize 
with  water ;  and  what  is  further  remarkable,  although 
we  have  a  particular  account  of  his  being  circumcised 
the  eighth  day,  when  he  received  his  name  ;  yet  not  a 
word  is  said  of  his  having  been  baptized  with  water, 
then,  or  at  any  other  time ;  neither  by  sprinkling  and 
crossing  with  water,  nor  by  immersion  in  water. 

Therefore,  Roman  Catholicks,  Episcopalians,  Pres- 
byterians and  Baptists,  are  spared  the  trouble  of  learned 
disquisition  in  splitting  hairs,  relative  to  the  precise 
mode  in  which  John  the  Baptist  was  himself  baptized 
with  water. 

I  have  lately  received  a  Pamphlet  writtea  by  John 


Ryland  D.  D.  which  asserts,  that  "  Christian  Baptism 
"  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  an  immersion  of  the  whole 
"  bod,v  in  water,  solemnly  performed  in  the  name  of 
^*  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit.  John  pro- 
"  fessed  to  act  by  a  divine  commission.  His  missiou 
had  been  predicted  by  Isaiah  the  Prophet." 

The  author  of  this  pamphlet  has  however,  totally 
omitted  the  transcript  of  both  the  profession  and  the 
prediction,  I  will  therefore  insert  them  here.  John 
i.  S3.  "  I  am  the  voice  of  one  crying  in  the  wilderness, 
make  straight  the  way  of  the  Lord,  as  said  the  Prophet 
Esaias." 

Isa.  xl.  3.  **  The  voice  of  him  that  crieth  in  the 
wilderness,  prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,  make 
straight  in  the  Desert  a  high  way  for  our  God." 

The  reader  will  perceive,  that  Isaiah  and  John  per- 
fectly agree  in  pointing  out  the  Office  and  Commission 
of  the  Forerunner  or  Herald  of  our  Saviour;  but  neither 
of  them  name  water  baptism  as  any  part  of  it.  There- 
fore, the  Priests  and  Levites  enquired  of  him,  Why 
baptizest  thou  then  ?  John  answered  them,  saying,  I 
baptize  with  water ;  but  there  standeth  one  among  you 
whom  ye  know  not ;  &c. 

This  answer  of  John  admits  the  fact,  but  refers  to  no 
commission  or  special  command  to  baptize  with  water. 
Verse  33,  he  adds,  "  And  I  knew  him  not :  but  he  that 
sent  me  to  baptize  with  water,  the  same  said  unto  me, 
upon  whom  thou  shalt  see  the  Spirit  descending  and 
remaining  on  him,  the  same  is  He^  ^vjiich  baptizeth 


(6) 

with  the  Holy  Ghost.     And  I  saw  and  bare  recoiil^ 
that  this  is  the  Son  of  God." 

It  may  possibly  be  urged  by  some  vehement  advo- 
cates  for  water  baptism,  that  in  this  last  passa.^e  there 
appears  to  be  an  implication  of  authority  to  John. 
Doubtless  he  was  warranted  to  make  use  of  water  as 
a  sign  or  figure  of  real  and  saving  Baptism,  and  conse- 
quently, in  this  identical  passage  immediately  after  th« 
aforesaid  implication,  points  to  the  great  object  of  his 
ministry. 

1  see  not  how  it  can  be  possible  for  either  Roman 
Catholicks  or  Baptists,  to  make  out  a  commission  trans- 
ferable to  them  from  the  33rd  verse  above  quoted. 

Whatever  that  authority  was,  as  respects  Water 
Baptism,  it  was  to  John  and  not  to  them ;  because  John 
has  neither  revealed  nor  transfered  it  to  them. 

As  well  might  a  Roman  Priest,  or  Baptist  minister 
tell  us  that  a  sign  or  figure  of  a  ship  is  a  ship,  or  that 
a  portrait  of  a  man  is  a  man :  Or  that  a  Wafer  by 
pretended  transubstantiation  is  the  real  body  of  Christ ; 
which  we  know  would  be  palpable,  self-evident  false- 
hoods. 

But  was  not  our  blessed  Lord  baptized  of  John  in 
Jordan  ?  I  answer,  he  undoubtedly  was.  This  admis- 
sion on  my  part,  necessarily  leads  me  to  advert  to  the 
circumstances  connected  with  this  memorable  fact,  as 
related  by  the  Evangelist. 

Matt.  iii.  11.  "1  indeed  baptize  you  with  wa(er 
unto  repentance :  but  he  that  cometh  after  me  is  migh- 
tier than  I,  whose  shoes  I  am  not  worthy  to  bear :  he 


(7) 

shall  baptize  you  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  Fire : 
whose  fan  is  in  his  hand,  and  he  will  thoroughly  purge 
his  floor,  and  gather  his  Wheat  into  the  Garner ;  but 
he  will  bum  up  the  Chaff  with  unquenchable  Fire.  Then 
Cometh  Jesus  from  Galilee  to  Jordan  unto  John,  to  be 
baptized  of  him.  But  John  forbad  him,  saying,  I  have 
need  to  be  baptized  of  thee  and  coraest  thou  to  me  ?" 

Let  us  mark  every  expression,  this  distinguished  Her- 
ald in  his  official  capacity,  solemnly  proclaimed  on  this 
occasion,  that  Christs,  or  Christian  Baptism,  should  be 
with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  Fire. 

No  ambiguous,  temporising  expression  of  doubtful 
construction  in  this.  No.  A  child,  he  that  is  least  in 
the  kingdom  of  God  may  comprehend  the  contrast,  that 
fire  does  not  mean  water.  No  implication  in  this,  that 
will  admit  of  sprinkling  the  child's  face  with  water,  or 
immersion  of  the  adult  externally  in  that  element  as  a 
substitute  for  regenerating  the  inner  man. 

But  John  forbad  hi?n.  Instead  of  a  special  commis- 
sion for  water  Baptism,  here  affirmed,  behold  we  have 
a  perfect  and  unqualified  negative  upon  it. 

John  knew  that  the  great  object  of  his  ministry  being 
come,  the  sign  was  no  longer  necessary.  Wherefore 
he  makes  a  publick  surrender  to  our  blessed  Lord,  say- 
ing as  above,  I  have  need  to  be  baptized  of  thee,  and 
comest  thou  to  me. 

"  And  Jesus  answering  said  unto  him,  suffer  it  to  be  so 
now:  for  thus  it  becometh  us  to  fulfil  all  righteousness. 
Then  he  suffered  him. 

And  Jesus  when  he  was  baptized,  went  up  straight- 


(8  ) 

way  out  of  the  water  :  and  lo,  tlie  Heavens  were  open- 
ed  unto  him,  and  he  saw  the  spirit  of  God  descending 
like  a  dove  and  lighting  upon  him  :  and  lo,  a  voice  from 
Heaven,  saying,  this  is  my  heloved  Son,  in  whom  I 
am  well  pleased." 

This  act  of  transcendent  humility  on  the  part  of  our 
blessed  Lord,  was  therefore  an  act,  not  of  commission, 
but  of  sufferance,  and  limited  to  the  then  present  time, 
by  the  word  noiVf  in  order  to  fulfil  or  finish  that  dispen- 
sation;  and  accordingly  immediate  proclamation  was 
made.  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well 
pleased. 

Matt.  V.  17.  "  Think  not  that  I  am  come  to  destroy 
the  Law  or  the  Prophets :  T  am  not  come  to  destroy^ 
but  to  fulfil."  Agreeably  to  this  gracious  declaration, 
we  find  that  our  blessed  Lord  was  circumcised  the  eighth 
day.  Luke  ii.  SI.  "  And  when  eight  days  were  ac 
complished  for  the  circumcising  of  the  child,  his  nam% 
was  called  Jesus." 

Will  the  advocates  of  water  baptism  in  order  to  sup- 
port their  cause,  assert,  contrary  to  the  plain  sense  of 
the  New  Testament,  that  all  christians  ought  to  be  cir- 
cumcised and  keep  the  law  of  Moses  ?     No. 

Our  blessed  Lord  previous  to  his  passion,  gives  a  full 
and  very  particular  illustration  of  the  proper  use  of  wa- 
ter; and  a  minute,  or  circumstantial  detail  of  the  man  ■ 
ner  of  using  it,  which  completely  puts  at  rest  all  contro- 
versy of  Roman  Catholicks  and  baptists,  relative  to 
sprinkling  and  immersion. 

Joha  xiii.  3.  <<  Jesus  kuowiog  that  the  Father  had 


(9) 

given  all  things  into  his  hands,  and  that  he  was  comd 
from  God  and  went  to  God :  He  liseth  from  supper 
and  laid  aside  his  garments ;  and  took  a  towel  and 
girded  himself.  After  that  he  poureth  water  into  a 
basin,  and  began  to  wash  his  disciples  feet,  and  to 
wipe  them  with  the  towel  wherewith  he  was  girded. 

So  after  he  had  washed  their  feet,  and  had  taken  his 
garments  and  was  set  down  again,  he  said  unto  them, 
know  ye  what  1  have  done  unto  you  ?  Ye  call  me 
Master  and  Lord  :  and  ye  say  well ;  for  so  1  am.  If  I 
then,  your  Lord  and  Master,  have  washed  your  feet,  ye 
ought  also  to  wash  one  another's  feet :  For  1  have 
given  you  an  example,  that  ye  should  do  as  I  have  done 
to  you." 

The  Roman  Pontiff  may  therefore  wash  the  feet  of 
liis  Cardinals,  and  the  Baptist  Ministers  may  wash  the 
feet  of  one  another,  or  of  their  congregations.  But  is  this 
their  practice?     No. 

Whence  do  they  derive  their  dispensing  power  ?* 

The  Pope  has  no  authority  to  grant  it. 

Neither  has  he  nor  any  other  man,  or  number  of 
men,  authority  to  institute  human  inventions,  or  external 
ceremonies  as  substitutes  in  lieu  of  the  internal,  essential 
Baptism  of  the  Son  of  God.  Whose  fan  is  in  his  hand^ 
and  we  have  reason  to  apprehend,  that  all  superficial^, 
fictitious,  temporising,  artificial  subterfuges,  will  be  but 
as  chaff  before  the  wind,  or  as  fuel  for  the  fire. 

Finally,  to  return  :  John  the  Baptist,  it  appears,  was 
baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost  at  his  birth. 

Luke.  i.  1  J.  ''  He  shall  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost, 


(   10  ) 

even  from  Lis  mother's  womb.  But  he  never  was  bap- 
tized with  water,  that  we  have  any  account  of.  He 
was  a  Prophet,  and  more  than  a  Prophet.  He  was  aa 
experimental,  powerful  Preacher  of  tlie  renovating  effi- 
cacy of  the  Baptism  of  Christ.  He  was  the  voice  of 
one  crying  in  the  wilderness,  make  straight  the  way  of 
the  Lord,  as  said  the  Prophet  Esaias. 


(11 ) 


CHAPTER  11. 
A  BRIEF  ANALYSIS 

OF  THE 


A  minister  of  the  Baptist  society  having  presentetl 
me  with  a  pamphlet,  entitled,  ''  A  candid  statement  of 
the  reasons  which  induce  the  Baptists  to  differ  in  opin- 
ion and  practice  from  so  many  of  their  Christian  Bretb* 
ren,  by  John  Ryland  D.  D.'^ 

And  as  the  minister  requested  me  to  give  him  my 
Notes  upon  it,  I  accordingly  now  present  to  him  my 
views  on  the  important  subject  of  Christian  Baptism. 

I  may  further  premise,  that  as  tiie  author  has  appeal- 
ed, exclusively,  to  the  doctrines  and  evidences  contained 
in  the  New  Testament,  as  the  alone  standard  of  deci- 
sion. I  shall  not  trouble  him  with  the  creed  of  any 
particular  sector  party,  but  join  issue  with  him  in  a  mu- 
tual submission  to  the  Tribunal  of  his  own  choice,  the 
precepts  of  the  Gospel. 

Page  1^.  "  John  Ryland  asserts^  that  Christian 
Baptism  is  neitlier  more  nor  less  than  an  immersion  of 


r  ** 


(  IS) 

the  ^vllole  body  in  water,  solemnly  performed  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  the   Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit. 
And  page  It.     In  proof  of  his  assertion,  he  offers  the 
following  passage— Matt,  xxviii.   18,   19,  SO.     "  All 
power  is  given  unto  me  in  Heaven  and  in  Earth.     Go 
ye  therefore  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing   them  in 
the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost ;  teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever 
I  have  commanded  you  :  and  lo  I  am  with  you  always, 
even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.     Amen." 
itiui;        Objections.      1st,    Water  Baptism  is  not  Christian 
*j>  i*^     Baptism. 

h-u^^  co^  2nd,  The  passage,  Matt,  xxviii.  18.  19.  20.  above 
j^^*^%  quoted,  in  proof  of  the  former,  neither  expresses  nor  im- 
tfdjtih^  plies  water  baptism. 

i^<j.ii^-  2v^,  Water  Baptism  never  was  administered  by  the 
^  ^  **•  apostles  in  the  manner  aflBrmed  by  John  Ryland,  viz. 
"  "^J^"*^  In  the  name  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
%;*f.«^-  Spirit. 

4th,  Baptism,  and  Water  Baptism,  are  two  distinct 
things,  having  no  other  analogy  to  each  other,  than  a 
figure,  emblem,  or  portrait,  has  to  things  represented. 

New   Testament  demonstrations   of  the   foregoing 
Objections,  viz. 

1st,  John  the  Baptist  in  bis  official  capacity  as  the 
Herald  of  Christ,  made  a  pnblick  surrender  of  Water 
Baptism,  as  is  shown  in  the  former  chapter — and  on 
the  same  memorable  occasion,  John  proclaimed  in  the 
spirit  of  prophecy)  concerning  his  glorious  successor; 


(13) 

Matt.  iii.  11.  ^^He  shall  baptize  you  witli  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  with  Fire. 

Language  surely,  could  not  comprise  and  convey  a 
more  discriminating  contrast.  Therefore  I  conclude, 
that  this  is  of  itself  suflBcient  evidence  to  prove,  that 
Water  baptism  is  not  Christian  Baptism. 

2nd,  Our  blessed  Lord  gives  an  ample  and  incontro- 
vertible illustration  of  Matt,  xxviii.  18,  19,  20.  which 
we  find  very  particularly  detailed  by  Luke,  in  the  first 
Chapter  of  Acts,  viz.  verse  4,  "  And  being  assembled 
together  with  them,  commanded  them  that  they  should 
not  depart  from  Jerusalem,  but  wait  for  the  promise  of 
the  Father,  which,  saith  he,  ye  have  heard  of  me,  for 
John  truly  baptized  with  water ;  but  ye  shall  be  bapti- 
zed with  the  Holy  Ghost,  not  many  days  hence.  8,  Ye 
shall  receive  power  after  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  come 
upon  you  :  and  ye  shall  be  witnesses  unto  me,  both  in 
Jerusalem  and  in  all  Judea,  and  in  Samaria,  and  unto 
the  uttermost  part  of  the  earth." 

This  gracious  communication  of  our  blessed  Lord, 
was  made  to  his  disciples,  forty  days  after  his  resurrec- 
tion, and  immediately  preceding  his  ascension. 

It  appears  hardly  possible,  to  conceive  a  more  deeply 
interesting  occasion,  and  of  course,  it  ought  to  make  an 
adequate  impression  on  the  minds  of  all  who  profess 
Christianity. 

John  Ryland  will  find  in  this  illustration  of  our  blessed 
Lord,  no  mixing  of  Baptism,  with  water  Baptism  :  No 
hiding  place  for  temporising  ambiguity.  John  the  Bap- 
tist and  Water  Baptism  are  here  explicitly  spoken  of 


(  14  ) 

hv  their  proper  names,  and  they  are  together  placed  m 
luk\.U  by  the  past  tense  a,  i^P^-J  J.  ; 
text  And  after  having  disposed  of  Watei  Baptum, 
he  snoke  next  in  due  course,  equally  as  distinctly  «  U« 
ilp  1  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  in  the  future  tense  which 
ItZ  enable  then,  to  become  hi.  witnesses,  and  which 
they  were  to  receive  not  many  days  hence. 

Lordin^ly,  .e  ^f^^^^f^-^^-^Z  S 
SrH^/'c^itdb^ntoUwiai  other 

tnnffues  as  the  Spirit  gave  them  utterance 
*"vl  U  not  any  candid^  rational  man  therefore  -k-vvl- 
edae  that  the  baptism  spoken  of.  Matt.  xxvi...  18, 19, 20. 
waf  no  otlier  than  the  Baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and 
Tha  tie  illustration  given  by  our  blessed  L»  ,  Acts- 
Is  oroof  positive,  of  the  highest  authority,  that  it  was  so. 
B„Un  order  m^e  fully  to  exemplify  the  fact,  we  have 
f  remarkable  demonstration  while  Peter  was  pre^hing 
,t  the  house  of  Cornelius,   Acts  xi.  15,  16.      And  as 
Ibe'anto   peak,(says  Peter)  the  Holy  Ghost  fell  on 
Lem'asonusat'the  beginning.  Jhen  7embe..d J 
,he  word  of  the  Lord,  how  that  he  said,  John  indeed 
tplzed  with  water,  but  ye  shall  be  baptized  with  the 

"S/dr'n'ot  the  apostles  baptize  with  wa^r  a«er 

the  day  of  Pentecost?  I  ''-^^^Vf  =J'"'  "C^NeU 
name  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  JNei- 
iTdo  wefind  any  command  of  our  blessed  Lord  m 
a  the  New  Testament,  for  Water  Baptism;  nor  do 
Sea  osO^s  profess  to  have  received  any  commission 


(  15) 

for  that  purpose.  The  apostles  also  practised  circum- 
cision.  The  apostle  Paul  circumcised  Timothy,  be- 
cause  of  the  Jews.  Some  things  he  did  by  permission, 
and  some  by  commission. 

Acts  XV.  1.  "  And  certain  men  which  came  down 
from  Judea  taught  the  brethren,  saying,  except  ye  be 
circumcised  after  the  manner  of  ^Moses,  he  cannot  be 
saved. 

When  therefore,  Paul  and  Barnabas  had  no  small 
dissention  and  disputation  with  them,  they  determined 
that  Paul  and  Barnabas,  and  certain  other  of  tliera, 
should  go  up  to  Jerusalem  unto  the  Apostles  and  El- 
ders about  this  question." 

In  consequence  of  this  appeal  to  the  Church,  it  ap- 
pears by  the  text,  that  a  meeting  was  held,  in  which 
the  subject  was  discussed;  which  resulted  in  a  conclu- 
sion to  send  the  following  Letter  by  Judas  and  Silas, 
with  Paul  and  Barnabas,  viz. 

"  It  seemed  good  to  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  to  us,  to  lay 
upon  you  no  greater  burden  than  these  necessary  things; 
That  ye  abstain  from  meats  offered  to  Idols,  and  from 
blood,  and  from  things  strangled,  and  from  fornication  : 
from  which  if  ye  keep  yourselves,  ye  shall  do  well. 
Fare  ye  well/' 

This  highly  important  document  of  the  primitive 
Church  at  Jerusalem,  therefore  obviously  excludes  both 
circumcision  and  water  baptism,  notwithstanding  any 
acts  of  individuals  to  the  contrary. 

The  united  judgment  of  the  Church  in  their  collec- 
tive capacity,  sauctioned  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  must  at 


(  i6  ) 

that  time  have  been  considered  paramount  to  all  other 
authority. 

The  apostle  Paul  who  had  successfully  opposed 
Circumcision,  tells  us  plainly,  he  was  not  sent  to  bap- 
tize. Corinth,  i.  14,  15,  16,  17.  ^*  I  thank  (rod  that  I 
baptized  none  of  you  but  Crispus  and  Gaius  ;  lest  any 
should  say  tliat  I  baptized  in  mine  own  name,  and  1 
baptized  also  the  household  of  Stephanas  ;  besides,  I 
know  not  whether  I  baptized  any  other  :  For  Christ 
sent  me  not  to  baptize,  but  to  preach  the  Gospel :  not 
with  wisdom  of  words,  lest  the  Cross  of  Christ  should 
be  made  of  none  effect." 

CHRISTIAN  BAPTISM,  as  contemplated  and 
promulgated  by  the  Gospel,  is  therfore  no  superficial, 
external  act,  but  a  supernatural,  internal  operation  of 
the  Son  of  God,  by  his  Spirit  in  man  ;  which  is  some- 
times represented  by  the  similitude  of  fire  in  an  oven, 
which  burns  inwardly,  whereby  the  oven  is  prepared 
for  its  proper  use  and  service. 

If  therefore  Baptist  ministers  find  that  they  are  in- 
competent to  the  discharge  of  this  interesting  duty; 
viz.  To  teach  baptizing,  as  Peter  did  at  the  house 
of  Cornelius ;  and  as  he  also  taught  in  his  general 
Epistle:  I.  Peter,  vi.  10.  11.  "As  every  man  hath 
received  the  Gift,  even  so  minister  the  same  one  to  an- 
other, as  good  stewards  of  the  manifold  Grace  of 
God.  If  any  man  speak,  let  him  speak  as  the  Ora- 
cles of  God  ,  if  any  man  minister,  let  him  do  it  as  of 
the  ability  which  God  giveth :  that  God  in  all  things 
may  be  glorified  through  Jesus  Christ  j  to  whom  be 


(17) 

praise  and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever — Amen.  Be- 
loved, think  it  not  strange  concerning  tlie  fiery  trial 
which  is  to  try  you,  as  though  some  stiauge  thing  hap- 
pened unto  you. 

Let  them  who  profess  to  be  gospel  ministers,  look 
well  to  their  ordination,  and  not  foolishly  charge  their 
incapacity  to  any  supposed  change  in  that  dispensation, 
which,  according  to  Matt,  xxviii.  20,  extends  to  the  end 
of  the  world. 

To  mix  water  with  baptism,  as  an  ordinance  in  the  ^(fj  /, 
Church,  would  be,  as  I  apprehend,  to  attempt  an  un-  ^*C^ : 
warrantable  and  bold  innovation  upon  the  Prerogative  ^/^^/^x 
of  our  Saviour.  ^*^^ 

Simon  the  Sorcerer  believed,  and  was  baptized  with  x*^^  j 
water:  Acts  viii.  13.    "  Then  Simon  himself  believed  ,   ^  . 
also ;  and  when  he  was  baptized,  he  continued  with  j,_^^ 
Philip,  and  wondered,  beholding  the  miracles  and  signs  y-aJ^J  < 
which  were  done.     And  when  Simon  saw  that  through  "^  ^ 
laying  on  of  the  apostles  hands  the  Holy  Ghost  was 
given,  he  offered  them  money,   saying,  give  me   also  ,  ^* 
this  power,  that  on  whomsoever  I  lay  hands,  he  may      ^    . 
receive  the  Holy  Ghost.      But  Peter  said  unto  him,  ^^^  J^ 
thy  money  perish  with  thee,  because  thou  hast  thought  ^^^^^^  ^^ 
that  the  gift  of  God  may  be  purchased  with  money.  ;;^*^^ 
Thou  hast  neither  lot  uor  part  in  this  matter :  for  thy   71,^  m, 
heart  is  not  right  in  the  sight  of  God.    Repent  there-  ^"^^ 
fore,  of  this  thy  wickedness,  and  pray  God,  if  perhaps  ^   ** 
the  thous:ht  of  thine  heart  may  be  forgiven  thee.     For   ''^  ~ 
1  perceive  that  thou  art  in  the  gall  of  bitterness,  and  m  .  /      ; 
the  bond  of  iniquity."  ^ 

Water  Baptism  had  done  but  little  for  him.  J3  ^i 


(18) 

But  the  ordination  of  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  according 
to  Christ's  rule,  is  no  doubtful,  equivocal,  or  superficial 
matter  :  Acts  i.  8.  "  Ye  shall  receive  power,  after  that 
the  Holy  Ghost  is  come  upon  you :  and  ye  shall  be 
witnesses  unto  me^  said  our  blessed  Lord  to  his  dis- 
ciples. 

Christian  Lai^mak. 
Burlington  County,  N.  J. 
December  S5th  18S0. 


